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Roasted makhana (crunchy fox nuts)
Puffed lotus seeds roasted crisp in ghee with rock salt and black pepper
Across North India, a jar of roasted makhana sits on the kitchen shelf for after-school munching, Navratri fasting days and evening cricket on television. The puffed lotus seeds turn from soft to crisp and light in a few minutes of slow roasting in ghee, like a nutty, savoury popcorn. Rock salt and pepper keep it suitable for fasting; turmeric or chaat masala are everyday variations. It contains milk (ghee). Whole makhana are a choking risk for under-5s, so crush them for little ones. Chef's tip: test one before you season: it should snap with a clean crunch, not bend.
- Total time
- 12 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 2 ⅛ oz makhana (fox nuts)about 3 cups
- 1 tbsp ghee
- ¼ tsp rock salt (sendha namak)
- ¼ tsp black pepperfreshly ground
- 1 pinch ground turmeric (optional)for an everyday, non-fasting version
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Warm 1 tbsp ghee in a wide, heavy pan over a low heat. Add 2 ⅛ oz makhana (fox nuts) and stir to coat them all.
Step 2: Roast over a low heat, stirring every 30 seconds, for 8–10 minutes. The common mistake is turning up the heat: the outsides brown and the centres stay chewy.
10 minStep 3: Crush one between your fingers: it is ready when it breaks into crisp, dry crumbs. Keep going for a few more minutes if it squashes.
Step 4: Turn off the heat, sprinkle over ¼ tsp rock salt (sendha namak), ¼ tsp black pepper and 1 pinch ground turmeric, if using, and toss well.
Step 5: Cool completely, then store in an airtight jar for up to 2 weeks. Crush or skip them for children under 5.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 85 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 12 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does roasted makhana (crunchy fox nuts) take?
- About 12 minutes in total: 2 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of ghee?
- Butter, same amount (keep the heat a little lower, butter burns sooner).
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Perfect for:Navratri & Durga Puja